George Pyke

• 4 1/2 inch (11 cm) circular silver dial signed George Pyke, London, with Roman numerals within an ormolu Rocaille border, the surrounding painting attributed to Zoffany depicting a pastoral landscape inhabited by country folk whilst above a procession of similar figures move across the landscape • ebony case with piereced gilt pierced gilt appliqué on all sides, bell top surmounted by a gilt ball finial, pierced ormolu cornucopia to the top, ball finials to the corners, the whole seated on a separate base with scroll feet, front doors set with similar scroll feet, front doors repeated with scrollwork panels of similar design, the front doors open to reveal a mirrored interior, all now further seated on a purpose-built ebonized pedestal • the organ with massive fusée and chain, comprising three registers two rows of metal and one row of wood, each with 16 pipes, playing a tune every three hours from a selection of 10 tunes, controlled by three stops for "flute," "principal," and "piccolo," with bellows, wind chest, and pinned barrel and unusual tune selector, barrel signed Weeks's Museum

Weeks's Museum, Tichborne Street, London, circa 1797-1838
The Earls of Abingdon, Highcliffe Castle, Hampshire, 1838-1949
Christie's, London, 5-7 July 1949, The Earls of Abingdon, lot 373
Sydney Vaux, Esq., Ilchester
Sold at auction 4 December 1975 to a German collector
Collection of Frank and Lore Metzger, New York

Country Life, 21 April 1950, pp. 1112-1114, figs. 10-11
Ord-Hume, A. W. J. G., Music and Automata, October 1985, Vol. 2 No. 6, pp. 69-70

Top portion with clock in good sympathetically restored condition. Some brass elements to the bell top with veneer loss. The entire case with superficial scratches consistent with use. The front doors will only remain closed when locked. The 3 knobs for the music are lacking. Very minimal nick to the case at the bottom left front. Painting in very good condition overall with light cracks. Music and automaton functions. Clock dial with light discoloration and light scratches consistent with age. Middle cabinet in good condition with superficial scratches. Interior of the case with front right interior door mirror broken, several cracks to the mirrored interior. Modern base overall in very good condition. The case condition is consistent with age of the piece. Accompanied by 5 keys for the cabinets, and 1 winding key.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

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George Pyke (1725-1779) was a distinguished maker of very fine clocks with organ music and automata.  He was described as "The first Mechanic in that Branch of any in the Kingdom" He is also known for his clocks for the Chinese Market including one in the Imperial Palace Collection, Beijing. He is particularly known for his monumental organ clocks, such as one by him now in the Warwickshire Museum, which plays eight tunes, four by Handel. Pyke was the son of John Pyke, another noted maker of musical clocks, and both were recorded as working at Holborn and Bedford Row in London. George Pyke was apprenticed to the Clockmakers Company in 1739 and was made a freeman in 1753.

George Pyke, along with Charles Clay and James Cox, were considered to be the three greatest London makers of organ clocks in the eighteenth century.

The present clock bears certain characteristics of clocks by Charles Clay, who preceded George Pyke, and was known as to have produced several magnificent organ-playing clocks, of which in some instances the music was written by Handel. Clay, like Pyke, was also known to have made clocks for the Chinese market.

Given Pyke's familiarity with Clay's work, it is no surprise that the present piece is decorated in a manner that is reminiscent of Clay.

The dial is surrounded by well executed pastoral scenes which have been attributed to the painter Johann Zoffany (1733-1810) who was known to have painted clock faces for Pyke and for the clockmaker Stephen Rimbault.

For more information on Pykes Organ clocks, see an article by Keith Harding called "Playing the Pyke" in Ord-Hume, A. W. J. G., Music and Automata, which discusses works by both Clay and Pyke. For illustrations of other clocks by George Pyke, see Ord-Hume, A. W. J. G., The Musical Clock, the Frontispiece, pp 115-117, pl V32-33, V34-36; Royal Music Machines, pp 232-237, edited by Dr. J.J.L. Haspels.

The barrel is signed "Weeks's Museum," designated for Thomas Weeks, the proprietor of a museum of "mechanical curiosities," which he established at Nos. 3 and 4 Tichborne Street, London in 1797. The museum was built as a "gallery, large exhibition room, shop, and dwelling house. Attractions included animated spiders and birds of paradise, ingenious clocks, musical instruments, elaborate temples, and a wide range of expensive toys and contrivances" (see Gilbert, 'Some Weeks Cabinets Reconsidered,' The Connoisseur, May 1971, pp. 13-21). After Weeks' death, his museum's collection was sold at auction on 14 July and 15 September, 1838.